George L. Smith

1st Lt. George L. Smith, age 90, passed away on September 9, 2008 at Bay Medical Center in Panama City, Fl. He was born March 6, 1918 in Grandin, MO to Franklin and Myrtle Smith. Following his graduation from Grandin High School he enlisted in the US Army Air Force in 1939 and was a World War II veteran serving in North Africa and Italy as part of the 15th Air Force. Following the war, he served in many positions in the Strategic Air Command and the Tactical Air Command. He served several assignments in the Air Force Recruiting Service and his last assignment was as the NCOIC of the ROTC unit at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. He retired after serving his country for 31 years to southeast Missouri and then to Panama City, FL. He became quite active in local politics and Mr. Smith served as Mayor of Callaway, FL in 1979 and 1980. He was married April 4, 1942 to Miss Berijean Allen, who predeceased him in 1999 after 58 years of marriage. They met in Portland, OR while 1st Lt. Smith was serving an Army Air Corp training assignment in Oregon. He is survived by two children: Dr. Allen L. Smith and Pamella K. Smith of Roswell, GA and Ms. Luanne Timke of Douglasville, GA; six grandchildren: Amy Timke of West Palm Beach, FL; Briana Popham and Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Popham of the Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, HI; Aubrey Forest and Michael Forest of Mableton, GA; Alisha Neitman and Matthew Neitman of Woodstock, GA; Lorina Potter and Richard Potter of Woodstock, GA; and Travis Smith of Roswell, GA; five great grandchildren: Christopher Frye; Devin Potter; Savannah Smith; Malcom Potter and Kameron Forest; two nephews Denver Joplin and Larry Joplin and their families of Oxley, MO; and his closest friends Samuel and Rachel Orlando of Panama City, FL. He loved fishing, travelling, visiting and vacationing with his family, listening to country music, and his most favorite was watching the Fox News channel. The funeral will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday September 27, 2008, at the Garden of Memories in Panama City, FL where he will be interred next to his wife. He will be buried with full military honors with the honor guard being provided by Tyndall Air Force Base.

Wilson Funeral Home